Telephone Switchboard Operators at Work, 1896
Add to SetSummary
This photograph shows 21 telephone operators working at a wall switchboard. The chief operator and supervisor, Amanda Hitchcock, is seated at a desk, speaking into a phone; telephone exchanges were predominantly run by female employees. Before direct-dialing was possible, callers would dial the operator, who would then assist by using cords or switches to manually patch their destination connection.
This photograph shows 21 telephone operators working at a wall switchboard. The chief operator and supervisor, Amanda Hitchcock, is seated at a desk, speaking into a phone; telephone exchanges were predominantly run by female employees. Before direct-dialing was possible, callers would dial the operator, who would then assist by using cords or switches to manually patch their destination connection.
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
1896
Keywords
Collection Title
On Exhibit
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
99.0.3.2
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 6.0 in
Width: 8.5 in
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